Resources

This section provides links to current wildlife health information and resources using a number of different categories and areas of interest. News, resources and information focus on Australia but also include information from overseas. We hope this assists everyone finding out more about wildlife health topics of interest.

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A note about archived postings: Wildlife Health Australia migrated all of the postings from the "Bulletin Board" on our previous website into this new "Resources" web page. Please note these posting are in the process of being removed or updated by WHA staff, postings dated prior to 2010 may be out of date and have expired URLs.

Online course; University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine

Manatee Health and Conservation is an online course (3 credits) that will provide students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) with a detailed overview of manatee natural history, health assessment, and research findings as well as explore conservation issues.
Click here >>for more information about the class or enrollment

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation

This internship program provides students with an opportunity to gain hands on experience and volunteering their time within a specified area of interest. Many interns have continued to volunteer even after their internship has expired. Find out more: http://www.riverheadfoundation.org/internship-program/

Australian Government Department of Environment

The Australian Government Department of Environment website page on Marine debris provides a wealth of information; including reports on the impact of marine debris on threatened species as well as a number of links to organisations involved in the clean up in Australia and overseas. Link >>

Western Australia Marine Science Institution

Western Australia Marine Science Institution website >>: “Since 2008 an unprecedented number of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have stranded in Western Australia (WA). Between 1989 and 2007 the mean number of humpback whales ashore was between 2 and 3 animals (range: 0-5). In 2008 there were 13 strandings followed by 46 in 2009 and 16 in 2010. The aim of this project was to initiate the collection of data by post-mortem examination of stranded whales in 2011 in order to:

identify and characterise factors associated with strandings; and

determine baseline and epidemiological information on disease and the nutritional status of stranded whales.

South Australia

1/06/2013 News Release, Minister Gail Gago “An extensive, multi-agency investigation has confirmed that the spate of fish and dolphin deaths around South Australia in March/April was caused by a combination of high water temperatures, algal blooms and dolphin Morbillivirus. Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Gail Gago today released the final report compiled by the multi-agency government team investigating the spate of fish deaths in March and April of this year and dolphin deaths over the same period. The team comprised members from Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), SA Water and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The report concluded:
• Pathology observations in fish showed high water temperature and harmful algae as the primary cause, which led to some weaker fish becoming susceptible to lethal bacterial infection.
• Morbillivirus was the underlying cause of the death of the dolphins – in some cases it was the primary cause of death.
Ms Gago said no single water quality or pollution point source was found responsible for such a geographically extensive series of events....”

Wildlife Health Center, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

"Many species of marine mammals can be infected with, or be healthy carriers of, bacterial, fungal and viral organisms which are known zoonotic pathogens. The risk of acquiring diseases from marine mammals differs as humans interact with marine mammals under different circumstances, such as commercial fishing, subsistence harvesting, scientific activities, wildlife rehabilitation, and animal training..." This resources provides information on recent findings on zoonotic disease, health risks to people who work with marine mammals, discusses occupational health and safety and a table of documented zoonotic diseases.

Seal Rehabilitation and Research; Netherlands

The Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre (SRRC) in Pieterburen, the Netherlands, is a hospital dedicated to the rescue,rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned and sick seals. The seals in the rehabilitation centre need intensive care treatment due to their health problems (mostly lungworm infections). The centre is always looking for are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who will work together with the SRRC staff in the seals care department.

Interns are accepted internationally. Candidates must be able to work well in a team, possess a strong work ethic and be willing to work long hours during our busiest months (a work day can be up to 10 hours during peak "pupping" season). We require a minimum period of six weeks with a maximum of three months. Internships are voluntary positions and candidates are responsible for their own transportation to and from Pieterburen. Find out more here >>